A blog dedicated to coverage of rock news, reviews of CD's/DVD's, live gigs and interviews with musicians who have made rock music great!
Coverage of hard rock, classic rock, AOR and popular melodic rock music across the genre.
This blog is the creation of Alun Williams, a Brit now living in Michigan whose previous credits include writing for the following sites:
www.classicrock.about.com
www.classicrockrevisited.com
and www.rocknrolluniverse.com (Now gone)
I hope you enjoy your visit here!

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Brief News Update for Wednesday 11th May, 2011

NEW YORK - To mark the 25th anniversary of its release, seminal prog-rockers Pallas have issued the long-awaited sequel their"The Sentinel" album, "XXV," on Music Theories Recordings.

"XXV" picks up where "The Sentinel," a concept album that incorporated a futuristic version of the tale of Atlantis along with Cold War-influenced themes, left off. The album's first track, "Falling Down," bridges the two releases.

The album's second song, "Crash and Burn," is where the story starts to unfold. "The lyrics set the scene in 'Falling Down' and now we cut away in cinematic terms to a very dramatic sequence of the story," explained bassist/guitarist Graeme Murray. "Once again the human race is in dire straits. The Koreans are at war, the Middle Eastern Muslim states have banded together to form the United Islamic alliance, the planet is beset with ecological problems, and the world banking system has all but collapsed. Business as usual!"

"XXV" represents a mature band with consistently impressive writing skills, and top-notch musicianship to match. "I am immensely proud of 'XXV' and feel that we have produced one of the finest and most cohesive Pallas albums ever," Murray said. European critics have agreed, stating that "XXV" is a contender for prog album of the year.

Though "XXV" is a sequel to the hugely successful debut, let there be no mistake: Pallas has remained active over the last quarter-century, writing, recording, and releasing a number of albums. The Scottish band did, however, replace its longtime vocalist Alan Reed with Paul Mackie just before the recording of "XXV." Though it was a risky decision, fans will certainly have no worries once they hear Mackie's powerful performance on "XXV."

"I think people were very apprehensive about Paul after the press announcement that we had parted with Alan, but once people heard the album most of them have very positive about Paul's voice and his charisma and presence on stage,"Murray said. "The band is certainly a happier place these days, and we feel we have made the transition to a new lead voice successfully."

Pallas headlineed the IO Pages Festival in the Netherlands on April 15.

Music theories Recordings is a subsidiary of Mascot Records, an independent record company based in The Netherlands that specializes in guitar music, from metal to instrumental guitar, hard rock, prog rock and (guitar) fusion.Official linkshttp://www.pallas.f2s.com/http://www.mascotlabelgroup.com/

Official Statement from Black Robot on band upheaval

Black Robot, the band put together by founding Buckcherry bassist, Jonathan “JB” Brightman, who had recruited Detroit-bred front man, Huck Johns to his dream of a comic book type created band. - Hence the Black Robot image.

An album was soon in the works, with the others players Yogi Lonich and Devon Glenn, both Buckcherry alumni, guitarist Andy Andersson, Darren Dodd and Chris Powell also lending their solid stick work on percussion, and session keyboard wizard, Fred Mandell (Elton John, Pink Floyd, Queen) adding some tasty ivory magic to the mix ... So described what they had ...

The band have issued the following statement through both their Facebook and MySpace pages:

"On May 4th, 2011 our former singer, Huck Johns announced his resignation from Black Robot through his personal Facebook page. Huck's status update indicated his intention to start a new band. We are currently working on the next Black Robot record which we are very excited about.

May 7, 2011 - Tonight we are in Medina, MN at the Medina Entertainment Center and we are working up some different tunes at sound check today for the show.

After 20 years of the fan's requesting, we may even pull out a new live rendition of "Love Me" off the first album! Jeff Keith was open to singing yesterday after I started messing around with the riff yesterday for the VIP who requested it. If it's not ready for tonight's show, expect it to come in the next few weeks. We still can't believe that it's been 25 years since Mechanical Resonance came out.

A few other songs we are practicing today for the show tonight will be "Paradise", "PVT Ledbetter" and a few some from Forever More. Then we are flying back home Sunday to play the KINGS rally on tuesday at Ceasar Chavez park downtown Sacramento. Be advised that we are only playing 2 songs that day...probably "Signs" and "Love Song" which has seem to become the KING'S anthem to stay in Sacramento. It is a KING's rally...NOT a TESLA show...so don't expect more than 2 songs.

Some other news: "Twisted Wires & the acoustic sessions ..." album is done and all the pieces are being put together now for a release in July. "Second Street" is becoming a favorite in the show. We will be attending a dinner for the survivors of the Station Fire in Rhode Island before heading to Hampton Beach next week for a SOLD OUT show at Casino Ballroom...we love that gig! always a sold out show there...great fans in NH area.